Pakistan: Suicide attack kills Awami National Party (ANP) candidate Barrister Haroon Bilour, 13 others in Peshawar
Peshawar, July 11 (IBNS): At least 14 people, including Awami National Party (ANP) candidate Barrister Haroon Bilour, were killed as a suicide blast rocked Pakistan's Peshawar city on Tuesday, media reports said.
The suicide blast targeted an election gathering of ANP in Yakatoot area of Peshawar, a police official told Dawn News.
Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Qazi Jameel told the Pakistan-based newspaper that more than 30 people were injured in the explosion, who have been shifted to Lady Reading Hospital.
The blast occurred after Haroon Bilour arrived at the venue.
He is contesting the polls from PK-78 constituency .
According to reports, Bilour was injured in the blast and was shifted to a hospital where he later passed away.
The police officer did not confirm the nature of the blast, however, a local ANP leader while talking to DawnNewsTV said that a suicide bomber blew himself when Bilour entered the compound where the meeting was being held.
“According to our initial investigation, it was a suicide attack and Haroon Bilour... was the target,” AIG Shafqat Malik told the Pakistani newspaper.
Security officials reached the scene of the blast immediately.
Police and bomb disposal officials collected evidence from the site of the blast.
An investigation into the incident is currently going on.
Pakistani leaders condemn:
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif tweeted: "Shocking news from Peshawar: Grieved to learn about shahadat of Haroon Bilour. Strongly condemn this barbaric act of terrorism on a public meeting. Its govt & ECP's responsibility 2 provide fool-proof security 2 political parties leaders. My condolences to bereaved families & ANP."
Shocking news from Peshawar: Grieved to learn about shahadat of Haroon Bilour. Strongly condemn this barbaric act of terrorism on a public meeting. Its govt & ECP's responsibility 2 provide fool-proof security 2 political parties leaders. My condolences to bereaved families & ANP
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 10, 2018
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan also condoled the loss of the politician in the suicide attack and said all political parties and their candidates must be provided proper security.
Sad to learn of Haroon Bilour and 2 other ANP workers deaths and strongly condemn the terrorist attack at the ANP corner mtg in Peshawar. All political parties and their candidates must be provided proper security during their election campaigns by the State.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) July 10, 2018
"Sad to learn of Haroon Bilour and 2 other ANP workers deaths and strongly condemn the terrorist attack at the ANP corner mtg in Peshawar. All political parties and their candidates must be provided proper security during their election campaigns by the State," he tweeted.
Image: Internet Grab
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